Chapter 1
The day started out wonderfully, too bad it fell apart. Ron slumped against the headboard of his bed. He was supposed to be joining his brothers and Harry on the Gryffindor Quidditch team this year. After five years this should’ve been his year to be out in front of the crowd sharing their cheers with the team. Instead he was sitting up in the fifth year’s dorm while everyone else was at practice.
“You’re a good player,” Katie Bell, the new team captain, had explained that morning. “It’s just that you weren’t as good as the other Keeper candidate.” She’d smiled weakly seeing the downtrodden look on Ron’s face.
The other candidate was a third year who would do best to stay out of Ron’s way for the next few days. Even thinking of the boy’s name made his blood boil.
It’s not fair!
He loved Quidditch and being on a team had been his dream since before coming to Hogwarts; it was one of his goals before graduating. Now he had to wait another year to try again. Fred and George would be gone, leaving the Beaters positions open, but Ron wasn’t sure if he could live up to their standards. He’d prefer being Keeper; he was better at it.
“Another year in the crowd with Hermione and Neville.” He muttered. Another year watching Fred, George and Harry play. When will it be my turn? Sighing heavily he resigned himself to the fact he’d have to try again next year.
Opening his eyes, Ron stared out at the empty room. Everyone was outside. Why not? It was a lovely fall day, warm and relaxing. Hermione was probably writing a letter to Vicktor Krum or studying while Harry was at Quidditch practice. The poor Seeker had tried to cheer up his friend before leaving, but Ron’s mood was well and truly soured. No amount of pep talk or comfort was going to change it.
“No matter what I do, there’s someone better than me or my brothers have already done it. Ginny’s lucky she’s a girl. She doesn’t have to live in their shadows. Not like me.” If he wasn’t a good student then he wasn’t like Bill or Percy. If he wasn’t on the Quidditch team then he wasn’t like Charlie, Fred or George. Plus the twins were the best practical jokers Hogwarts has seen in years. Head Boy and prefect had been done too. “Merlin is there ANYTHING they haven’t done already?” Ron asked himself lifting his gaze to the ceiling. Just once I’d like to do something special, but there’s nothing left. He thought gloomily picking at a loose thread in his coverlet.
But your Harry Potter’s best friend, that’s something special, a little voice reminded him.
True, being Harry’s friend was fun and he got to do some interesting, sometimes dangerous, things. On the other hand, Harry always was in the spotlight. All attention was on him; it rarely included Ron. Not that Harry had a swelled head about it. He didn’t even really like all the attention.
“If it weren’t for Harry, I’d just be another Weasley in the crowd. Nothing more.” Closing his eyes, he paused for a moment. “Nothing.” He whispered. “I’m nothing.”
“Have you seen Ron?” Hermione asked taking a seat next to Harry at the Gryffindor table. Around them the other Griffyndors ate oblivious of the conversation.
“He was in class, but didn’t say much.” Harry replied repeatedly stabbing his lunch with a fork.
“I mean since class! I saw him there too; we DO have the same morning classes, you know.” She snapped. “Harry, he’s been skipping meals.”
“I know.” He replied grimly. Lunch didn’t look appetizing anymore. Giving up on the green beans and ham, Harry turned his attention elsewhere. “He’s been just sitting on his bed since Katie told him he didn’t make the team.”
“That was a week ago. He should be over it.” She huffed buttering a roll. Tearing off a piece she thought while she ate.
“But he had a good shot. Katie told me it was an extremely hard decision and she spent hours agonizing over it.” He pulled his napkin off his lap and set it beside his plate. “I’ve tried to tell him that, but it didn’t help.”
Hermione shook her head. “I shouldn’t think so. It’s like telling someone they almost made top of the class.” She knew she’d be devastated if she’d been told that, but she would get over it. She’d try and improve so she got the top spot next time; that’s what Ron should be doing.
“I was only trying to make him feel better.” Harry argued, glaring at her.
“Perhaps we should do something else then?”
“Is Ron still sulking about not making the team?” George asked surprising both of them. Plopping down next to Harry, he grabbed an apple and began munching.
“Poor little Ronnie. He should just let it go. He’ll have a better chance next year anyway. With George and I gone, there’ll be two spots open.” Fred added resting his arm on his twin’s head.
“He’ll have to make up for both of us. Although they probably won’t get a second Beater because it.” George joked, giving Fred a shove and nearly sending him into the next table. He caught himself before he crashed into a poor second year girl from Ravenclaw. Standing straight up, he glared at his twin and began devising a way to get even.
“What we need to do is get his mind off of it.” Hermione stated firmly nodding her head in the process. George scoffed at that.
“He’ll come out of it on his own.” He said as Fred came back.
“But he could use a good kick to the butt to start with.” The other twin added winking. “One well planted foot should do it.”
“I hardly think violence will solve anything.” She snorted trying to ignore both seventeen year olds as they started acting like they were five again.
“He’s probably hungry.” Harry muttered as he began to gather up some rolls. “Maybe some food will help get him to at least talk to us for longer than a few minutes.”
Placing them in an unused napkin, he looked around for some fruit. Finding a likely looking apple, he took it and set it with the rolls. Hermione quickly followed his lead. Several small wedges of cheese, an orange, and another roll went onto her napkin. Nodding his approval, Harry wrapped up the food and started out for Gryffindor. Hermione hopped off the bench and trotted out after him.
Ron was sitting on his bed looking over his Transfiguration homework. Harry entered the dorm alone while Hermione waited in the common room. She had the food with her and he hoped he could convince Ron to join them. The boy needed to eat. This skipping meals was beginning to worry him.
“Hey.” Harry said trying to get Ron’s attention. The other teenager glanced up, a weary look on his face. “Ah, since you missed breakfast, we thought you’d want some food. So Hermione and I brought something to eat. We’re downstairs in the common room.” As he spoke he glanced down at the parchment. There was nothing written on it except something so small Harry could barely make it out. He wasn’t sure what it said, but it was only three words long.
“I’ll be down in a minute.” Ron replied slowly as if he was just waking up. He rolled up the parchment and set it on his nightstand.
“Great!” Harry felt instantly better. They were making progress. Maybe all Ron needed was a little time and some food.